Fires and smoke in Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Each red dot on this image of Alberta, (far left) Saskatchewan (left), and Manitoba (right), acquired June 26, 2006 by the MODIS on the Terra satellite, represents an active fire. These forest fires in Central Canada, many triggered by lightning, were spreading thick smoke and forcing evacuations by June 28. Smoke from the fires is readily visible in the image, being blown to the south. It is the smoke, rather than danger of fire, that has caused the evacuation orders in Saskatchewan.